A Hobbit's Tale-Thorin's P.O.V.

23-I Was Wrong

I looked around me, we were trapped in the tree. The wargs were right below us, still snarling & snapping. Curse it, as the leader I had to find a way to get the company out of this situation. I glanced at the pale orc again, there he was & he had his signature evil smirk on his face. It filled such hatred & rage inside me. Azog was enjoying this, seeing us trapped. I cursed the filth to hell, how did he survive after all these years? We had to do something, anything to escape. Suddenly as I happen to glance up the tree, I saw Gandalf holding a pinecone, he lit it on fire & tossed it towards the animals below. They howled in fright & scattered about. They hate fire. Looking up, the wizard had lit two more, he dropped one to Fili. The hobbit lit his pinecone with Fili's then Anya did the same. Soon everyone threw theirs right at the wargs. I watched, fascinated at the whole situation as the animals squealing in pain & running away. Azog looked absolutely agitated, was not expecting any tricks from the wizard. The warg pack backed off, the company cheered at this. All of a sudden I heard a sickening crack, our tree began lean forward, towards the edge. Everyone hung on to their branches, fortunately the tree's root didn't uproot all the way. I quickly glanced at my friends, they were all there along with the wizard, Anya & the Hobbit. I could still feel Azog's cold eyes on me, I locked my gaze with his. He began to smirk maliciously, it filled my heart with an intense rage & hate. Holding the Orcrist in my right hand firmly & an oaken branch on my left, I stood up. Without thinking about the consequences, I stepped onwards to face my enemy. Azog, still astride his white warg, was waiting for me. The fire was blazing around me & I could feel the eyes of the company at my back but I was oblivious. All I could think about was just finishing this filth, once & for all. I took off running down the path. As soon as I got closer I raised my sword & the shield. Then the white warg along with its rider, leaped in the air towards me. The creature slammed it's front paw on my chest hard, I felt the wind knocked out of my body as I crashed to the ground. Disoriented at first, yet refusing to back down I hauled myself back to my feet. Grunting, I turned to face them again but Azog swung his weapon, connected to my jaw in a sickening blow. SMACK! I fell down again, despite my hammering heart I could hear the anguished cry from my friends. Before I could regain my bearings the white warg grabbed me within it's jaws. It felt like a thousand knives sticking in my body as it jolted me about. I was screaming in such agony & pain as the creature kept it's firm grip on me. I thought to myself that this was it for me, I almost blacked out, giving up & then suddenly a face flashed before my eyes. Her sweet smile, her golden-brown eyes & her laughter, Anya Hadin. With great effort I raised my Orcrist & hit it at the muzzle of the animal, hard. It released me by tossing me in the air, I landed on a slab of rock, my body jolted in immense pain. I tried to catch my breath but my throat was feeling hoarse. Curse my luck, I know what I just did was completely reckless & foolish. My quest was far from my mind at this moment, I was in agony. I could hear Azog saying something to one of his minions. My mind & heart began to fill with regret, about what I just did, about not being able to fulfill my mission. About not being able to tell Anya Hadin, the young girl whom I have grown attached to, my feelings. Will I ever be able to hold her in my arms, despite our age difference? Before I could think further that orc had placed his sword on my neck. Although I was unable to move, the familiar rage went through me. I tried to reach my Orcrist but it was out of my reach. I could tell that Azog was gloating with triumph by now just as his minion raised his weapon to strike. But it flinched & I noticed a familiar knife wedged in it's arm, Anya? Next I heard a shout & a small figure of Bilbo Baggins charging at the orc. Pushing it on the ground. Wha!?! Bilbo Baggins? My vision began to blur a little as I saw the girl slay a couple of wargs. Before passing out I prayed for both Anya's & Bilbo's safety. I felt myself floating, weightless & cold at first then I began to feel warmth all over my body, the pain was still there. I could hear familiar voices near me. Slowly opening my eyes, clearing my vision, I saw Anya first & she was crying yet she looked beautiful to me.
Thorin:(Smiling softly)"Are those tears for me, lass? Or is it a part of my dream?"
She blushed slightly, laughing lightly as she wiped her tears. I felt this urge to touch her soft cheeks, to wipe away her tears like the last time I did when we were in Rivendell. Balin came near her placing a hand on her shoulder, he was holding her jacket. My nephews, Gandalf & my friends were here, alive & safe, thank Durin. But where is he?
Thorin:(Looking at Gandalf)"The halfling?"
Gandalf: "Its alright, Bilbo is here. He is quite safe."
Behind the wizard I saw him, standing at the distance, slumping his shoulders. Stiffly, I tried to stand up as everyone stepped back. Dwalin bent down gripping me under my one shoulder while Kili got hold of my arm. As they helped me up on my feet I felt this familiar anger inside me. About what this fool of a Baggins tried to do back there. I shrugged myself free as I glared at the hobbit.
Thorin:(Gruffly)"YOU! What were you doing? You almost got yourself killed."
Without meaning to I could not control my anger as I took small steps towards him. He lowered his head as I came closer. Practically towering over him, I'm sure the others especially Anya must be disapproving all this, my behavior.
Thorin: "Did I not say that you would be a burden? That you would not survive in the wild? And that you had no place amongst us?"
I soon felt this emotion in my chest which I had buried deeply inside me finally came out, gratitude.
Thorin:(Sighing)"I have never been so wrong in all my life."
Stepping forward I wrapped Bilbo in my arms to hug him. I could hear the company cheering behind us. I was wrong about him, despite the way I had belittled him yet he risked his life to save me. Both him & the girl, I owed them my life. I wonder if he would forgive me for the way I had been treating him, giving him the cold shoulder. Releasing him, holding his shoulders, I looked at him.
Thorin: "I'm sorry I doubted you."
Bilbo:(Shaking his head)"No, no, I would've doubted me too. I mean that I'm no hero nor a warrior."(Looking at Gandalf with a small smile)"Not even a burglar."
The others chuckled at his words & I just smiled at him. I certainly did not ignore these giant eagles nearby as they took off, must have been summoned by the wizard. They must've saved us from Azog & his minions. Then my eyes spotted something familiar over Bilbo's head, the peak of the Lonely Mountain. Bilbo also turned his head to look at what I staring at.
Bilbo: "Is that what I think it is?"
I walked stiffly nearer for a better look, the others followed.
Gandalf: "Erebor, the Lonely Mountain. The last of the great Dwarf Kingdom of Middle-Earth."
I stared at the mountain with longing & pride, we are almost there.
Thorin:(Breathing deeply)"Our home."
I turned to look at my friends with content until my eyes met Anya's, I smiled at her fondly which made her blush as usual, dropping her eyes to the ground. Bilbo looked at me curiously but I slightly shook my head. Then I heard a soft chirping sound, a small bird flew past our heads heading towards the mountain.
Oin: "A raven! The birds are returning to the mountains."
I smiled to myself, remembering that Oin's hearing aid was still flattened. But I decided not to contradict him.
Gandalf: "That, my dear, Oin, was a Thrush."
Thorin: "No matter, we will take it as a sign. Of a good omen."
I turned to smile at Bilbo who agreed with me.
Bilbo: "I do believe you are right. I believe the worst is now behind us."
At the back of my mind I know more is yet to come. First there is the pale orc behind us & the Dragon named Smaug, living in the mountain.

1536 words!